Newk’s Pimento Cheese Recipe

If you’ve ever visited a Newk’s Eatery, chances are a little cup of their pimento cheese found its way onto your tray – creamy, tangy, with a gentle kick of cayenne that keeps you coming back for “just one more” cracker.

I still remember the first time I tried it: I assumed it would taste like every other pimento cheese I’d had growing up, but it was sharper, silkier, and somehow more addictive. Newks pickles add a crisp, tangy bite that perfectly complements creamy pimento cheese, making them a delicious side dish to serve alongside it.

This Newk’s pimento cheese recipe recreates that same restaurant magic in your own kitchen, using real block cheese, a touch of sugar to round out the heat, and a hand-folding technique that keeps the texture perfectly rustic. Note: this version is scaled down from the restaurant’s bulk batch for easy home cooking.

What Is Newk’s Pimento Cheese and Why Do Fans Love It?

Newk’s pimento cheese is a Southern-style cheese spread built from a blend of sharp and white cheddar, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, and a warm blend of black pepper, cayenne, salt, and a whisper of sugar.

Unlike thinner, more processed pimento cheeses found in grocery store tubs, this version leans on real shredded cheese for body and a slightly chunky, hand-folded texture rather than a smooth, whipped one. Compared to classic homestyle pimento cheese, Newk’s take is a little spicier and less sweet, with the two cheddars creating layers of sharpness rather than a single flat cheese note.

Fans love it because it walks the line between nostalgic comfort food and something a bit more elevated – creamy enough to spread easily, but textured enough that you still get little bites of cheese and pimento in every scoop.

The Nostalgic History Behind Newk’s Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese itself has deep Southern roots, dating back over a century as a pantry staple made from cheddar, mayonnaise, and canned pimento peppers. It became a fixture at potlucks, tailgates, and lunch counters across the South long before fast-casual restaurants existed.

Newk’s Eatery, founded in the mid-2000s, built its menu around scratch-made Southern classics, and pimento cheese became one of its signature starters – served with crackers or worked into other dishes.

What sets this version apart from newer, trendier pimento cheese spreads is its simplicity: no roasted peppers, no smoked cheeses, no truffle oil – just real cheddar, mayo, pimentos, and a balanced spice blend that honors the dish’s old-school, unfussy origins rather than reinventing them.

Key Ingredients That Give Newk’s Pimento Cheese Its Signature Flavor

The flavor of this dish comes down to a handful of well-balanced ingredients working together. Sharp cheddar provides the backbone – bold, tangy, and slightly crumbly. White cheddar softens that sharpness with a milder, creamier undertone, giving the blend more depth than a single-cheese version could.

Mayonnaise is the binder, and using a generous amount is what gives Newk’s pimento cheese its signature creaminess rather than a dry, crumbly texture. Pimentos add sweet, slightly tangy pockets of flavor and that classic reddish fleck throughout the spread. Black pepper and cayenne bring warmth and a gentle kick that keeps the dish from tasting flat, while a small amount of sugar rounds out the heat and balances the tang of the mayonnaise and cheese.

Salt ties everything together, though it’s used sparingly since both the cheese and mayonnaise already carry natural saltiness. Together, these ingredients create a flavor that’s rich, tangy, spicy, and just a little sweet.

Newk’s Pimento Cheese Recipe Ingredients

• 10 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded – The main flavor base; block cheese shredded by hand melts and folds better than pre-shredded bags, which are coated in anti-caking starch.
• 6 oz white cheddar cheese, shredded – Softens the sharpness and adds creaminess. Substitute Monterey Jack if you want an even milder blend.
• ¾ cup mayonnaise – Use full-fat mayo for the creamiest texture. Duke’s is the classic Southern choice, but any quality mayonnaise works.
• 1 (4 oz) jar diced pimentos, drained – About 2.5 oz once drained. Roasted red peppers, finely diced, can work in a pinch, though the flavor will be slightly sweeter.
• ½ tsp black pepper – Adjust to taste for a peppery bite.
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper – Adds Newk’s signature warmth; reduce to 1/8 tsp for a milder spread.
• 1 tsp sugar – Balances the tang and heat; do not skip, as it’s key to the authentic flavor.
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste) – Add gradually and taste before adjusting, since the cheese is already salty.

Tools You Need to Make This Newk’s Pimento Cheese Recipe at Home

• Box grater or food processor with shredding attachment
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Food-safe disposable gloves (long ones, for hand-mixing)
• Airtight storage container

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours (recommended, not required)
Total Time: 15 minutes active, up to 2 hours with chilling

Steps to Make This Newk’s Pimento Cheese Recipe

1. Prepare the Cheese and Pimentos

Shred the sharp cheddar and white cheddar cheese by hand using a box grater, or pulse in a food processor fitted with a shredding disc.

Add both to a large mixing bowl. Drain the pimentos well, pressing out excess liquid with a paper towel to avoid a watery spread.

2. Combine the Ingredients

Add the mayonnaise, drained pimentos, black pepper, cayenne, sugar, and salt to the bowl with the cheese.

3. Mix, Taste, and Adjust

Put on long food-safe gloves and use your hands to fold the mixture together, working from the bottom up. Avoid mashing or squeezing – you want to coat the cheese evenly without breaking it down into a paste.

Continue folding for 2–3 minutes, until the mayonnaise and pimentos are evenly distributed throughout the cheese with a slightly rustic, textured look. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding a pinch more salt, cayenne, or sugar to balance the flavor.

4. Chill and Serve

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight, to let the flavors meld and deepen.

Serve chilled with crackers, form into a cheese ball, or use in baked dishes like mac and cheese.

Pro Tips for Getting Newk’s Pimento Cheese Flavor Just Right

The biggest mistake home cooks make with this recipe is overmixing. It’s tempting to stir vigorously with a spoon, but that breaks down the cheese shreds and turns the spread into a mushy, one-note paste instead of a textured, restaurant-style blend. Folding by hand, gently and patiently, is what gives Newk’s pimento cheese its signature look and bite.

Another key tip: always shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded bagged cheese is coated in cellulose and anti-caking agents that prevent it from binding properly with the mayonnaise, leading to a drier, grainier spread. Don’t skip draining the pimentos thoroughly – excess liquid waters down the mayonnaise and shortens shelf life. Press them between paper towels before adding.

Season in layers. Add your black pepper, cayenne, sugar, and salt gradually, tasting as you go, since cheese brands vary in saltiness and sharpness. Finally, don’t rush the chill time. While it’s safe to eat right away, letting the spread rest for at least an hour allows the mayonnaise to soak into the cheese and the cayenne’s heat to mellow and round out, which is exactly how it tastes at the restaurant.

Easy Variations to Customize Your Newk’s Pimento Cheese

While the classic version is hard to beat, there’s plenty of room to make this recipe your own. Swap in pepper jack cheese for extra heat, or add a few dashes of hot sauce for a smokier kick. For a beef bacon-lover’s version, fold in crispy beef bacon bits before baking it into mac and cheese.

If you prefer a milder spread, reduce or omit the cayenne entirely and add a touch more sugar. Garlic lovers can stir in a small amount of garlic powder for extra depth. You can also lighten the recipe by using half mayonnaise and half Greek yogurt, which cuts richness while keeping the creamy texture intact.

Best Ways to Serve Newk’s Pimento Cheese in Your Meals

This spread is incredibly versatile beyond the classic cracker pairing. Serve it as a quick appetizer with buttery crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetable sticks like celery and bell peppers for a lighter option.

It also makes an excellent sandwich filling – spread it thick between two slices of white or sourdough bread for a Southern-style pimento cheese sandwich, or use it to elevate a basic grilled cheese by adding it alongside cheddar before grilling. For a heartier dish, stir the spread into freshly prepared mac and cheese, top with crispy beef bacon bits, and bake until hot and bubbly for a rich, indulgent side dish.

It also works wonderfully as a burger topping, melted over a hot patty for instant flavor, or stuffed inside jalapeños and baked for a spicy party appetizer. Roll it into a cheese ball, coat with chopped pecans, and serve at holiday gatherings for an easy make-ahead centerpiece. However you serve it, letting the spread come to room temperature for about 10 minutes beforehand makes it easier to spread and enhances the flavor.

How to Store Newk’s Pimento Cheese and Keep It Fresh

Store leftover pimento cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days. The flavor actually improves after a day or two as the ingredients meld. This recipe is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature and isn’t recommended for freezing, since mayonnaise-based spreads can separate and turn watery once thawed.

If using it in a baked dish like mac and cheese, reheat gently in the oven at 350°F until warmed through and bubbly, stirring once halfway to keep the texture even.

Nutrition Facts and Dietary Notes for Newk’s Pimento Cheese

A typical 2-tablespoon serving contains roughly 120–150 calories, depending on the mayonnaise used, with the majority of calories coming from fat and protein. This recipe is naturally gluten-free as written.

For a lighter version, substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or a light mayo to reduce fat and calories. It is not naturally vegan or dairy-free, though plant-based cheese shreds and vegan mayonnaise can be used as substitutes with a slightly different flavor.

Cheddar cheese does offer a good source of calcium and protein, making this a satisfying, protein-rich snack in moderation.

FAQs About Newk’s Pimento Cheese Recipe

Common Newk’s Pimento Cheese Recipe questions answered to help you understand it better.

1. Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Yes, simply reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. The black pepper alone will still give a mild warmth without much heat.

2. What’s the best cheese to use if I can’t find white cheddar?

Monterey Jack or a mild cheddar both work well as substitutes and will keep the texture creamy.

3. Can I make this ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely – it’s actually better made 1–2 days ahead, since the flavors deepen and meld the longer it sits in the fridge.

4. Why does my pimento cheese look watery?

This usually happens when the pimentos aren’t drained well enough. Always press out excess liquid with a paper towel before mixing.

5. Can I use a food processor instead of mixing by hand?

It’s not recommended, as a food processor tends to overmix the cheese into a paste. Hand-folding preserves the classic textured consistency.

And that’s it – your own homemade Newk’s pimento cheese recipe, ready to spread, scoop, or bake into something even more indulgent. Whether you’re serving it at your next gathering or just keeping a batch in the fridge for snacking, this one’s a keeper.

Give it a try and let me know in the comments how yours turned out, or share any fun variations you tried. For more Southern-inspired comfort food recipes, browse around the blog – there’s plenty more where this came from.

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